Can I use Tarot to determine whether I'm better suited to own a cat or a dog?

Of course! Exploring this question with Tarot cards is actually quite interesting. Tarot cards won't directly tell you "get a cat" or "get a dog"; they're more like a mirror, helping you reflect on your deepest desires and your true current life situation, to see which choice aligns better with your present energy.

You can try this, it's a simple and classic "either/or" spread:

Preparation: Find a quiet place, take out your Tarot cards, take a deep breath, and calm yourself. Hold your question in your mind: "Am I more suited to owning a cat or a dog?"
Shuffling and Cutting: Shuffle the cards as usual, continuing to silently repeat your question. After shuffling, divide the deck into two piles.
Setting Positions: The left pile represents "What would my experience be like if I got a dog?", and the right pile represents "What would my experience be like if I got a cat?".
Drawing Cards: Turn over the top card from each pile.

Now you have two cards in front of you, the left one representing "dog" and the right one representing "cat". The key is to interpret the feeling these two cards give you.

Let me give a few examples to help you understand how to interpret them:

Scenario One:

The card representing "dog" is [The Sun]: This card is full of vitality, joy, and extroverted energy. It might be saying that getting a dog will bring you a lot of outdoor, sunny, and fun times. You might meet new friends (like other dog owners), and your life will become more positive and lively.
The card representing "cat" is [The Hermit]: This card represents introspection, quietness, and solitude. It might be saying that getting a cat will bring you a peaceful, spiritual companionship. It will be a quiet companion, silently accompanying you while you read, work, or think, and your relationship will be more about an inner world connection.

Interpretation: Seeing these two cards, you can ask yourself: At this stage, do I crave the liveliness and vitality represented by [The Sun] more, or do I need the tranquility and solitude brought by [The Hermit]?

Scenario Two:

The card representing "dog" is [Eight of Wands]: This card is full of speed, action, and sudden changes. It might mean that getting a dog requires you to act immediately, and your life rhythm will become very fast (e.g., daily walks in the morning and evening, requiring a lot of energy for training and interaction).
The card representing "cat" is [Four of Cups]: This card carries a sense of stillness, contemplation, and choice. It might mean that life with a cat is relatively stable; it will quietly integrate into your life, but sometimes it might also bring a faint sense of loss, like "it doesn't seem to need me much," requiring you to actively create a connection with it.

Interpretation: Then you can consider, am I ready to embrace a fast-paced, action-filled life like [Eight of Wands]? Or do I prefer to slowly build a relationship in peace, like [Four of Cups]?

Scenario Three:

The card representing "dog" is [Strength]: This card speaks of gentle control, patience, and inner courage. Owning a dog might require you to use great patience and love to guide a creature full of primal instincts, and this process will make you stronger and more resilient yourself.
The card representing "cat" is [Queen of Swords]: This is an independent, intelligent, and boundary-conscious female figure. Owning a cat might be more like living with an independent-thinking roommate. It loves you, but it also has its own world and principles. Your relationship will be built on mutual respect and clear boundaries.

Interpretation: Which kind of relationship do you want to experience? Is it the deep connection full of patience and mutual taming like [Strength], or the independent yet mutually appreciative partnership like [Queen of Swords]?

In summary:

Tarot cards don't give you answers, but rather "previews" of two possibilities. You don't need to memorize the meaning of every card; it's more about feeling the initial impression the card gives you. Which card's imagery, energy, and story appeal to you more? Which card's scenario makes you feel, "Yes, this is what I want"?

The final choice is still yours. Tarot merely helps you visualize your inner thoughts, allowing you to see your needs more clearly. I wish you cards that bring you inspiration!

Of course! Using Tarot cards to explore this choice is actually a fantastic idea. It's not about asking a "yes" or "no" question; it's more about helping you explore two different lifestyles and seeing which one aligns better with your current inner state and energy.

Don't think of Tarot cards as too mysterious. You can treat them like a friend you're chatting with, a mirror that helps you see thoughts you hadn't even noticed yourself.

Below, I'll share a simple method that I or my friends often use, which you can try:

Step One: Preparation and Questioning

First, prepare your cards, calm your mind, and shuffle. The key isn't to ask, "Should I get a cat or a dog?" because that's too absolute. A better way to phrase the questions is to break them down and explore each separately:

"If I get a cat, what kind of energy and experience will it bring into my life?"
"If I get a dog, what kind of energy and experience will it bring into my life?"

Step Two: Drawing Cards

Draw one card for each of the questions above. You can place them side-by-side on the table, with the left representing the cat and the right representing the dog.

Step Three: Interpreting the Cards (This is the most fun part!)

Now, look at these two cards. Don't immediately look up their meanings to see which is "good" or "bad." Tarot cards don't have absolute good or bad. You need to feel them:

Look at the imagery: Which card's imagery makes you feel more comfortable, more drawn to it? Is it a quiet, independent, mysterious image (perhaps corresponding to a cat), or a sunny, enthusiastic, vibrant image (perhaps corresponding to a dog)?
For example:
- For the cat card, let's say you drew The High Priestess. This might mean that getting a cat would bring you a quiet, intuitive companionship, where you are independent but share a deep spiritual connection. You might spend more time together in quietude, each in your own space, but deeply reliant on each other.
- For the dog card, let's say you drew The Sun. This is quite clear! It represents joy, vitality, extroversion, and unconditional love. Getting a dog might make you more willing to go out, visit parks, socialize, and your life would become very bright and full of laughter.
Compare your feelings: Now, compare the tranquility of "The High Priestess" with the radiance of "The Sun." Which kind of life do you crave more at this stage? After work, do you prefer to curl up on the sofa, enjoying quiet time alone, or do you want a little companion urging you to go for a walk and breathe fresh air?

Another possibility:

What if you draw a card that seems a bit "scary," like The Tower or Ten of Swords? Don't be afraid! This doesn't mean something bad will happen to the pet. It might be reminding you that this choice will bring significant, disruptive changes to your life. For example, drawing "The Tower" might mean that getting a dog will completely disrupt your current comfortable routine, and you need to be prepared for a complete upheaval. This is a strong reminder, not a bad omen.

To summarize:

Tarot cards won't directly tell you, "Get a cat!" or "Go get a dog!" What they do is present the possibilities of "life with a cat" and "life with a dog" like movie scenes, allowing you to feel and choose.

Ultimately, it brings you back to your inner self, asking you: "Hey, which of these two futures do you prefer?"

So, feel free to consult your cards; they will be a very honest advisor. I wish you find the perfect furry companion soon!